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Saturday, March 29, 2014

Trans-Alp Adventure Tour...... the ultimate do everything and take anywhere bike !!! Run every wheel platform possible - 29", 27.5", 26" or 700c. Build'r up as a mountain, cross or road it's your choice. We've suspension correct the geometry to allow for the use of both rigid and suspended fork options. Modular sliding dropouts allow for the use of single or multi gears. Want to run a Rohloff internal geared hub..... no problem. The dropouts are designed for that too. Want to travel.... just upgrade to S&S couplers and you're ready to vacation. Designed to run fully loaded with your favorite set of paniers. Plan on running into some wet weather on your travel.... no problem as the Trans-Alps comes set up to run both front and back fenders. We build each Trans-Alp with custom geometry specifically designed for you and your riding preferences. Utilizing a custom blend of only finest 3/2.5 vr titanium that is cold worked and stress relieved so the Trans-Alp is built to last. Sleek seat and chainstays bends allow for extra tire clearance if you're going to hit a lot of dirt. Lots of custom options available on this rig .... just give us your wish list and we'll make it happen. Each frame is crafted to perfection at our facility in Boulder, CO.

Friday, March 28, 2014

Due to construction on Liberty St. the southbound detour for Scioto Trail will now follow Fulton St and make a right onto Front St. This is a minor change and will be signed accordingly. This will be effective Monday March 31.

A couple years ago, perhaps suffering from a severe case of bikepack fever, I purchased a Salsa Fargo frame to serve as a project bike for Expedition Portal. It turned out to be one of the more enjoyable bicycles I have ever had the pleasure to ride. What I thought would only be a novel diversion from real bicycles evolved into a deep love of the Fargo with its seemingly endless possibilities. As winter arrived, my steel Fargo was replaced with Salsa’s new flagship model, the 2014 Fargo Ti.

Building on the success of their previous titanium Fargo, Salsa set out to relaunch the model with a handful of significant refinements. Most noteworthy is the redesign of the fork, now called the Firestarter. Constructed of carbon fiber with a sculpted shape worthy of wolf whistles, it is the one update to the Fargo which I feel has made the most noticeable difference to the ride quality. The new fork features 15mm thru-axle dropouts, a full carbon steerer, and to the applause of every adventure rider, Anything Cage mounts now positioned on the forward aspect of the fork blades. That latter refinement is a smart evolution of the Anything Cage as it moves them out of harm’s way should they, or the bag they contain, inadvertently contact the rotating wheel. The new frame and fork combo is also now corrected for a 100mm suspension fork for those wanting to push the Fargo into more technical turf.

Thursday, March 27, 2014

2014 Gravel Rouser Classic: The Good, the Great and the Awesome

People must have been bursting at the seams to ride a bike after the long winter, because a whole bunch of them showed up at the 11th edition of the Gravel Rouser. We had record attendance for the 2014 Gravel Rouser Classic.

Thursday Night Moto Enduro

Way before the current trend of mountain bike enduros, there was (and still is) the format of motorcycle enduro, which requires you to maintain assigned average speeds across different sections of a mixed road/off-road course, with known and secret time checks along the way. This type of race doesn't necessarily mean that the fastest person will win, as it requires a little more thought and strategy. SE Ohio has long been a hotbed for motorcycle enduro racing, so we bucked the trend on Thursday night at Strouds Run State Park with a moto style enduro. Handlebar cue sheets led riders through the woods, where three secret checkpoints kept track of who was on time and who wasn't. One of the fastest men out there, Eric Hamann, kept his speed in check, coming in with a perfect score and starting his Gravel Rouser out on top of a podium. He was followed by Matt Fratczak in second place and Jeff "Well I'd rather get there too fast than too slow!" McAdoo in third. We are grateful to Jim Miller for helping us put this fun event together.

Takaokami is rainwear for the city, for urban lovers living and biking the metropoles. Finally, after 5 years of hard work our first collection is being released - order a piece of fashionable, danish rainwear before your neighbor.

Rainwear that makes you look stunningly feminine in a both classic and very new fashionable way, allowing for a graceful walk in the rain.

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

There will be a candlelight vigil for Joseph Giampapa starting at 5:00 pm Thursday at the SE corner of Broad and High.

The purpose of the vigil will be to 1) honor a cyclist whose life was tragically cut short by a negligent motorist, 2) to peacefully demonstrate the need for increased motorist awareness of cyclists as well as the need for more and better bike lanes/paths and 3) to provide an open casual forum for bicyclists to gather and discuss issues related to bike safety.

For those wishing ride with a group, meet at Franklinton Cycle Works, 897 W Broad St, at 4:30 PM. This vigil is organized by The non violent political wing of the local Bicyclists Rights Organization (BRO). (Vigil will be up for several hours, come by when you can)

Sacred Yak from The Republic of Doom on Vimeo.
A four day human powered loop. Including a desert tower first ascent.
Windy as shit, but still bad ass!
Important, please read!!!!! Alpacka Raft is NOT, making a camo boat. Repeat, Alpacka Raft is NOT making a camo boat. I'm just testing some fabric.

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

While cities like New York and San Francisco have set decisive "Vision Zero" targets to dramatically reduce bicyclist and pedestrian fatalities, the U.S. Department of Transportation has just released proposed safety measures that have no goal, no accountability and no attempt to reduce the 16% of all fatal crashes that include people who walk and bike.

Your comments count: Tell US DOT that we can't turn a blind eye to the 45,000 bicyclists injured and 5,000 cyclists and pedestrians killed on our roadways each year - we must have a national goal to make biking and walking a safe transportation option.

In 2012, Congress asked the US DOT to set national goals to guide federal, state and local investments in our transportation system. After meeting with USDOT and FHWA officials, we knew they were unlikely to include a specific non-motorized performance measure - or goal to reduce bike/ped deaths. Unfortunately, on March 11 we were proved right: FHWA issued a "Notice of Proposed Rulemaking" that acknowledged our request - but chose not to include one.

Now, they're asking for comments - and they need to hear from you. Please endorse the League's comments or submit your own.

Our analysis: The overall safety performance measure lacks vision, accountability, and urgency. There is NO actual target set for reducing the number of people killed on our roads. States are asked to make "significant progress" towards two of four proposed measures, with a margin of error that could see fatality and injury numbers actually increase.

At a time when many local agencies are adopting a "Vision Zero" traffic safety target, and as bicycle and pedestrian fatalities are increasing as a percentage of overall traffic fatalities, we believe FHWA's proposal is grossly inadequate - and sets a troubling precedent for subsequent national performance management measures on congestion and pavement condition.

We can't allow our national safety standards to have Zero Vision - please send your comments on the safety performance measure to US DOT today.

"We didn't hesitate for a second, when we were invited to ride from the famous Uina gorge to the high mountains of Bernina pass. It's a 4 day trip through some breathtaking landscapes and across the borders of three languages and two countries. But see for yourself..."

There are two models of the Rungu available. The above "Juggernaut" has three 26 x 4.7" tires, weighs in at 55.8 lbs, starting at $2,500.

The "Kilimanjaro" (above) has a 26 x 4.7" fat tire in the back, and two 29 x 2.5" tires in the front, with two 100-mm Rockshox forks. They claim it has better cornering performance on the road, than Its fatter brother, the Juggernaut. It weighs 53.8 lbs, and starts at $2,600.

From the the Rungu website:

A platform for adventure, Rungu Trikes offer mobility and stability where a bike can’t go and a car won’t go.

This is fashioned after the bamboo bike trailer, with the addition of a seatpost mount and PVC instead of bamboo. I used the instruction for the wheel mounts, something I need to modify in the future to accomodate heavier loads to relieve axel flex. The PVC is 1" and the trailer bed is 12" wire shelving left over from a home remodel. The wheels are 20" front wheels with bolt-on axel. These are about $24 a piece unless you run a bike shop..hint,hint. The seatpost mount is made by TRAIL-GATOR.com and sells for around $15. My total investment was around $60 for this brand new trailer.

I left the bed flat to acccomodate various uses. We have mounted our dog crate, two plastic crates for groceries, and an athletic bag so far. Maximum load weight tested so far around 50 lbs. The trailer itself is very lightweight.

“When I see an adult on a bicycle, I do not despair for the human race.”

- H.G. Wells.

When Was the Bike Invented?

1817 – The Running Machine. Invented by German Baron Karl von Drais, this had no pedals no chains, but two wheels. It was propelled by pushing feet on ground. It was sometimes known as human horse. It was largely a form of entertainment for aristocratic families with their own estate.
The Running Machine. Photo by Gun Powder Ma wikipedia

The Velocipede – 1860s. In the early 1860s, two Frenchmen Pierre Michaux and Pierre Lallement put pedals on the front wheel and introduced the velocipede, which looks more like our modern bicycle. It had no chain and was very uncomfortable due to wooden wheels. This helped the spread of the bicycle.

The Velocipede.

The Penny Farthing. A development of the Velocipede, this was faster due to the larger diameter of the front wheel. But, considered dangerous because of height. Nevertheless the first cycle races were on these high machines.

1885. The Safety Bike. It was around the 1880s, that the first safety bikes appeared. These are considered the first real bicycles. With their standard two triangle frames, pedals and chain, the basic design has remained unchanged. Starley’s 1885 Rover is considered the first real bicycle model.

The Pneumatic Tyre. In 1888, Scotsman John Dunlop invented the first practical pneumatic tyre, which created a much more enjoyable and comfortable ride. The bicycle was ready for mass participation.

THE WALL STREET JOURNAL REPORTS THAT THE BIKE-SHARE INITIATIVE IS IN FINANCIAL TROUBLE. BUT...

Citi Bike, New York City's bike share program, has been an enormous hit with pedal-pushing Manhattanites and Leonardo DiCaprio. But it might be in trouble. The Wall Street Journalreports today that the transportation initiative's leaders "are moving quickly to raise tens of millions of dollars to rescue the popular bike-share program as it loses money, according to people familiar with the matter." Per the report, Citi Bike's financial troubles are threefold: